Episode 29 - TV DADS

There are many different types of dads.

One type of dad might endure the constant bruising of his ego by pitting his flailing masculinity against ill-advised home repair projects, all while he struggles to relate to his strong-willed wife and three rambunctious sons.

Another type of dad might endure the constant bruising of his ego by pitting his flailing masculinity against various Sisyphean attempts to raise a family with dignity, all while he struggles to relate to his strong-willed wife and three rambunctious sons.

Just in time for Father's Day, we spend some time with two of our favorite sitcom dads - Tim Taylor of Home Improvement and Hal Wilkerson of Malcolm in the Middle - as we recount their lessons about life, love, failure, and how to act like you know what you're doing.

Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Created by Carmen Finestra, David McFadzean, and Matt Williams

"Super Bowl Fever"
Directed by Andy Cadiff
Written by Rosalind Moore and Howard J. Morris
Aired January 31, 1995

"The Feminine Mistake"
Directed by Peter Bonerz
Written by Laurie Gelman
Aired May 6, 1997


Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
Created by Linwood Boomer

"Bowling"
Directed by Todd Holland
Written by Alex Reid
Aired April 1, 2001

"Hal Coaches"
Directed by Jeff Melman
Written by Ian Busch
Aired March 10, 2002

Episode 28 - JURASSIC PARK III

Even if it wasn't a sequel to one of the biggest game-changing blockbusters in cinema history, Jurassic Park III would still stand as a bellwether for the state of popcorn flicks circa 2001.  A modicum of heavily rushed (yet ridiculously detailed) exposition begets a daisy chain of action setpieces that showcase the awkward growing pains of early 21st-century CGI.  It's a cinematic how-to manual that gives its audience exactly what it wants, and none of what it doesn't already expect.

As moviegoers prepare for a return to prehistory in the series' fourth installment, we invite special guest Daniel Borders-Ashe to investigate whether the Jurassic Park III formula still satisfies.

Jurassic Park III (2001)
Directed by Joe Johnston
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Larry Franco
Written by Peter Buchman, Alexander Payne, and Jim Taylor
Starring Sam Neill, Téa Leoni, William H. Macy, Alessando Nivola, and Trevor Morgan